Toby Davis set to continue athletic career at Lyon
Hard work pays off, and that’s exactly what happened March 26 when the Aubrey Chaparral community came together to celebrate with senior Toby Davis while he signed his letter of intent to continue his athletic career.
The multisport athlete was honored in front of Aubrey ISD staff, his family and his peers with a ceremony held in the Aubrey High School gymnasium as he prepares to join the Lyon College football team in Batesville, Arkansas.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Toby and what he’s accomplished here to end his career in Aubrey,” said Keith Ivy, Aubrey athletic director and head football coach. “He’s had this goal to further his education and playing career in college since he was in middle school. … Toby's going to get his education first and foremost and then get to play football and have fun along the way. He’s going to have a great college career.”
Toby, who was named first team all-district in both football and baseball and was a two-time state qualifier in powerlifting, will become one of the new faces of the Scots’ football program under head coach Chris Douglas.
“I love the campus,” he said. “Arkansas is beautiful. They’re also getting a new football stadium this year, so that’s going to be [amazing], and I have a great connection with all of the coaches. Especially the linebackers’ coach. He reminds me of Coach Ivy, so he and I are like family now.”
True to Coach Ivy’s words, Toby is already planning for life after football and intends to study finance while attending Lyon College, with the goal of one day becoming a financial advisor.
He also made sure to thank God, his parents, Mike and Jill Davis, his girlfriend, his coaches and his teammates for their love and support.
“They’ve helped me throughout my whole life, helping me improve every day and helping me be a better man,” he said. “I also want to thank my teammates. They helped me through this season and all through high school, especially my best friend, Luke Bartel. He and I have been on varsity basically since freshman year, and [we’ve] been through a lot together.”
Toby’s father said he appreciated having a frontrow seat to his son’s journey and said he’s excited to see him on the next level.
“We’ve seen him grow from peewee football all the way to junior high and then making varsity as a sophomore here at Aubrey,” he said. “To see him do that and play baseball, run track and go to state in powerlifting, nothing compares to it. The coaches at Lyon are excited to have him, and knowing that he has an opportunity to get an education and still be able to play football is so rewarding.”
Jill echoed her husband’s excitement and shared how much joy she’s felt seeing her son grow into the young man he is today.
“The consistency and the hard work he’s put into all of this since he was basically in seventh grade is what got him here today,” she said. “… He works super hard, even when he gets home from training, so watching him grow in strength and in his faith in God has been amazing.”
